|
|
|
|
Washington D.C.
The district has lots of attractions within and just
outside the city’s boundaries, but if you have
the time you may want to do a bit of day-tripping in
the beautiful surrounding countryside. Attractions
to the south include famous Civil War Battlefields,
the historic towns and cities of Fredericksburg, Richmond,
Ashland and Petersburg. To the east is historic Annapolis
and the Chesapeake Bay. To the north is Baltimore and
Frederick, Maryland. To the west are the foothills
of the Blue Ridge where surprisingly, the region is
one of the east coasts largest wine producing areas,
placing Washington D.C. in a ideal location for a day
of wine tasting and vineyard tours. The following attractions
and wineries are ideal for day trip exploration and
most can be reached within an hours drive of The Mall
during normal traffic periods.
-On-line Printable Map-
Day Trips in Maryland
27 Annapolis - MD / Annapolis and Anne Arundel
County / Visitors Bureau / 401-280-0445
An historic town situated along side the Chesapeake
Bay, Annapolis is worth a full day-trip all on its
own. Home of the U.S. Naval Academy, it is also the
capital city of Maryland. Founded in 1649, there
are 18th and 19th century historic buildings throughout
the city. There are also all types of Bay Cruises
available that are moored on the Annapolis waterfront.
21 Antietam National Battlefield - SR 34 and
65 / Sharpsburg MD / 310-432-5124
The site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War,
over 23,000 soldiers lost their lives during the
day-long battle. Even though the Union troops lost
more soldiers, it was a strategic victory and turning
point for the Union and General McClellan as Robert
E. Lee was forced to withdraw. The 960-acre battlefield
site has been preserved, a national cemetery and
Visitor Center are located on the grounds. / Modest
Fee
25 Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic
Shrine - E. Fort Street / south of Baltimore
MD / 401-962-4290 Built between 1798 and 1803, the
fort was designed to defend Baltimore’s inner
harbor. It was here that Georgetown lawyer, Francis
Scott Key witnessed the 1814 bombardment of the fort
by British in an attempt to take the port of Baltimore.
After a night of shelling, the forts flag remained
standing and inspired Key to write the poem that
later became our National Anthem. / Modest Fee
/ Additional fee for shuttle boat
26 National Aquarium in Baltimore - 501 Pratt
St. / Baltimore - MD / 401-567-3800
One of the country’s largest oceanariums which
includes an Atlantic Coral Reef and Open Ocean Aquariums,
there are also a South American Rain Forest exhibit,
a Marine Mammal Pavilion, educational arcade and
a Primitive Fish Exhibit. There is often a long wait
to get in. Strollers are not permitted. / Fee
22 Six Flags America - Central Avenue off
the Capital Beltway (I-95) / Largo MD / 301-249-1500
The local home for Bugs Bunny and Tweety, Six Flags
is a 115-acre amusement park with more than 100 rides
designed for all ages. An awesome list of five roller
coasters along with Looney Tunes Movie Town makes
this a great place for families. In the summer months
Paradise Island draws the crowds with a gigantic
wave pool, flumes, slides and lazy river tube ride,
all inclusive with one per person admission price.
/ Main Park Open May through October, Paradise Island
open late-May through Labor Day Weekend.
Day Trips in Virginia
1 Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County National
Military Park - several locations around Fredericksburg
/ 540-373-6122 Due to it’s strategic location
between Richmond and Washington, Fredericksburg was
in the crossfire from both sides. Within a 17 mile
radius of the city lie the sites of four legendary
Civil War battles including Battle of Chancellorsville,
Battle of Fredericksburg, Battle of the Wilderness
and the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. From the
union headquarters at Chatham to the Stonewall Jackson
Shrine, these places explore the poignant stories
as told from both sides of the conflict. / Modest
Fee
6 Manassas National Historic Battlefield Park
- SR 234 / Manassas VA / 703-361-1339
During the first two years of the Civil War, a strategic
railroad junction just south of this site was the
prime objective in both the First Battle of Manassas
and the Second Battle, most commonly known as Bull
Run. The first battle, in the early days of the conflict
brought out picnickers from Washington D.C., to see
the Union Army crush the rebellious Confederate troops.
After 10 hours of fighting, both the Union Army and
picnickers were forced to retreat back towards the
Potomac. The next year, the second battle included
the now battle-hardened troops of both sides, yet
the final bloody outcome of Bull Run was basically
the same. A visitor center museum, Stone House field
hospital, statuary memorials, driving and walking
tours of the battlegrounds are all part of the Manassas
Battlefield experience. / Modest Fee
2 Paramount’s Kings Dominion - I-95 South
at Doswell / 804-876-5000
An hours drive south of the city on I-95, this 400
acre fun theme park boasts the most roller coasters
in one location on the east coast! The newest addition
is the Volcano, The Blast Coastertm, also billed
as the World’s fastest suspended coaster! Be
a part of the action with James Bond 007tm; A License
to Thrill adventure film or the kids can check out
Tommy Pickles and the Rugrats at Nickelodeon®
Central –but don’t get slimed! Lots of
fun for the whole family! Open early spring to mid
fall. Part of the summertime offering at Kings Dominion
is the Paramount’s Water Works! / Fee
10 Shenandoah National Park - Skyline Drive
- Front Royal VA / 540-999-3500
Located in Shenandoah National Park, the northern
end of Skyland Drive is a hour west of Washington
via I-66. The panoramic drive alone is worth a day
trip. Skyline Drive runs from Front Royal south for
a hundred miles to Afton mountain which is a few
miles west of Charlottesville, there are several
exits off the parkway between these two points. Hiking,
picnicking and breathtaking views are what makes
this one of Virginia’s most popular natural
attractions. / Fee per car
3 Stratford Hall Plantation - SR 3 off SR 214
/ Stratford VA / 804-493-8038
Birthplace of General Robert E. Lee, Stratford Hall
sits on the grounds of a restored working Colonial
plantation. This stunning colonial house and the
accompanying plantation grounds was owned by the
Lee family from 1730s to 1810 and has been preserved
to reflect that era. / Modest Fee
Wineries in the D.C. Area
Virginia is one of the east coasts largest wine producing
states and Maryland is beginning to take advantage
of the simular climate conditions - which places
Washington D.C. in a great location for a bit of
wine tasting. Most of these vineyards are within
a 50 mile radius of the Districts boundaries.
24 Berrywine Plantations Linganore Winecellars
- / 13601 Glissans Mill Rd. / Mount Airy MD / 301-831-5889
Located north of D.C. and west of Baltimore, open
by appointment.
23 Boordy Vineyards - 12820 long Green Pike
/ Hydes MD / 410-592-5015
Located north of Baltimore, open from 10 am to 5
pm on Monday through Saturday, Sunday from 1 to 5
pm.
16 Breaux Vineyards - 36888 Breaux Vineyards
Ln. / Loudoun County VA / 540-668-6299
Great views and great award winning wines, with 70
awards in first three years of operation. Open Thursday
to Monday, 11 am to 6 pm.
9 Farfelu Vineyards - 13058 Crest Hill Rd.
/ Flint Hill VA / 540-364-2930
Farfelu is a small and charming farm winery.
7 Gray Ghost Vineyards - 17706 Lee Hwy. /
Amissville VA / 540-937-4869
Open Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 11 am to 5
pm.
4 Hartwood Winery - 345 Hartwood Rd./ Fredericksburg
VA / 540-752-4893
Tours, parties, special events and tastings, open
year round.
5 Lake Anna Winery - 5621 Courthouse Rd. /
outside Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania VA / 540-895-5085
Free tours, tastings and offering a nice picnic area.
18 Loudoun Valley Vineyards and Winery - 38516
Charleston Pk. / Leesburg VA / 540-882-3375
Another winery offering spectacular views and award
winning wines, open Friday through Sunday 11 am to
5 pm.
14 Meredyth Vineyards - Logans Mill Rd. /
Middleburg VA / 540-687-6277
Tours and tastings are offered daily from 11 am to
5 pm.
12 Naked Mountain Vineyard and Winery - 2747
Leeds Manor Rd. / Markham VA / 540-364-1609
Scenic chalet and mountain vistas along with tastings,
tours and picnic facilities.
11 Oasis Winery - 14141 Hume Rd. / Hume VA
/ 540-635-7627
Their champagne is ranked in the top 10 world-wide,
Oasis Winery is open year round.
15 Piedmont Vineyards - SR 626 / Middleburg
VA / 540-687-5528
Tours given daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
17 Shadwell-Windham Winery - 14727 Mountain
Rd. / Hillsboro VA / 540-668-6464
Closed January & February, Open 2nd and 4th weekends
each month; Saturday noon to 6 pm, Sunday 1 to 5
pm.
8 Sharp Rock Vineyards - 5 Sharp Rock Rd.
/ Sperryville VA / 540-987-9700
Tasting tours are given on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
13 Swedenburg Estate Vineyard - 23595 Winery
Ln. / Middleburg VA / 540-687-5219
Open daily 10 am to 4 pm, Swedenburg bottles European
varietal grape wines.
20 Tarara Vineyard and Winery - Lucketts VA
/ 703-771-7100
Offering 14 varieties of wine, the winery is open
daily in season from 11 am to 5 pm, open weekends
during the winter months.
19 Willowcroft Farm Vineyards - 38906 Mt.
Gilead Rd. / Leesburg VA / 703-777-8161
Award-winning wines are offered for tastings, open
March to December, Wednesday through Sundays 11 am
to 5 pm.
(See your specific Washington D.C area hotel or attractions
map for more detailed I-64 exiting information.)
Reserve Early
...while your preferred accommodations are still
available.
|
